Yachiho Highland is a beautiful highland area in Sakuho Town, Nagano Prefecture, spreading across the northern foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains. Unlike some of Nagano’s more heavily developed mountain resorts, Yachiho has retained much of its original landscape and offers visitors a peaceful experience surrounded by forests, lakes, and alpine scenery.
National Route 299 runs through the highland and is particularly popular as a scenic driving route. In autumn, birch and larch forests turn brilliant shades of yellow and red, creating spectacular views along the mountain road.
One of the highlights is Mugikusa Pass, located on the border between Chino and Sakuho. At an elevation of 2,127 meters, it is known as the second-highest point on a national highway in Japan. From the pass, the road descends toward Chino and continues into the Tateshina Highlands, making the area an excellent destination for a scenic mountain drive.
Lake Shirakoma is one of the most famous natural attractions in Yachiho Highland. Located at an elevation above 2,100 meters, it is the largest lake in Japan at this altitude and is especially renowned for its autumn foliage.
The lake is surrounded by dense primeval forest covered in thick moss. Walking along the trails can feel like entering a hidden green world, with the forest floor carpeted in moss and the towering trees creating a quiet, almost mystical atmosphere.
The forest has been selected by the Bryological Society of Japan as one of Japan’s precious moss forests. The walking trails wind through the ancient woodland, and even during the daytime the dense forest can remain pleasantly dim, enhancing the mysterious character of the landscape.
Lake Komade is another scenic highlight of Yachiho Highland. Surrounded by forest, the tranquil pond is also popular as a camping destination.
The surface of the water reflects the surrounding birch trees and blue sky, creating a different scene with every season. Early in the morning, mist often settles over the water, producing an especially atmospheric landscape that has made Lake Komade a favorite destination for photographers.
Yachiho Highland Nature Garden covers an extensive area of approximately 280,000 square meters and is known for its exceptionally beautiful birch forest.
The garden has three walking courses, allowing visitors to choose a route according to their available time and fitness level. As you walk beneath the birch trees, the clean mountain air is accompanied by the sound of clear streams flowing through the forest.
Seasonal wildflowers such as Indian pipe and Japanese primroses add color to the landscape. There is also a separate flower garden where visitors can enjoy different plants and flowers throughout the year. Admission is required for the garden area.
With gentle walking routes and abundant natural scenery, the nature garden is an enjoyable place for both children and adults to experience the highland environment at a relaxed pace.
When winter arrives, Yachiho Highland Ski Resort becomes a popular destination for snow sports. Its high elevation contributes to good snow conditions, while a variety of slopes provide options for beginners through advanced skiers.
The resort also features a family-friendly layout, making it accessible to visitors traveling with children. Winter transforms the forests and mountains of Yachiho into a snowy playground where visitors can combine outdoor recreation with beautiful mountain scenery.
Okumura Togyu Memorial Museum offers a cultural experience closely connected with the history of Yachiho. The museum was established because renowned Japanese-style painter Okumura Togyu lived in the area as an evacuee during the final years of World War II, from 1945 to 1951.
Togyu himself donated approximately 207 works and materials, including preparatory sketches, drawings, and calligraphy. The museum building was created by renovating the Kurozawa family house, where he had stayed.
During the renovation, particular attention was paid to ensuring that the building would harmonize with the surrounding natural environment and nearby houses, while preserving as much of the original structure as possible. The result is an intimate museum in which the architecture, artworks, and landscape complement one another.
Representative works include “Landscape of Saku,” “Calf,” and “Carp.” The exhibits are changed three times a year, with approximately 30 works on display at any one time. For visitors interested in Japanese art, the museum provides a quiet cultural counterpoint to the surrounding natural attractions.
One of the greatest attractions of Yachiho Highland is the way its character changes throughout the year. Spring brings fresh green foliage, summer offers cool mountain air, autumn transforms the forests with brilliant colors, and winter opens the door to skiing and snowy landscapes.
The combination of natural scenery, outdoor recreation, and art means that visitors can enjoy much more than a simple mountain getaway. The white-barked birch forests are particularly beautiful, while the moss-covered woodland around Lake Shirakoma provides an atmosphere that is difficult to find elsewhere.
The scenery around Mugikusa Pass, above 2,000 meters in elevation, is another reason to visit. Whether seen beneath summer greenery, surrounded by autumn colors, or covered in winter snow, the mountain landscape offers a memorable experience in every season.
From JR Yachiho Station on the Koumi Line, buses can reach the highland area in approximately 30 minutes. Another option is to travel from JR Chino Station by bus toward Mugikusa Pass.
Because Yachiho Highland is a mountain destination, public transportation services are relatively limited. However, traveling by bus allows visitors to enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace without having to drive the winding mountain roads themselves.
By car, Yachiho Highland is approximately one hour from the Suwa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway, or about one hour from the Saku Interchange on the Joshin’etsu Expressway.
National Route 299 is itself one of the attractions. The scenic road passes through forests and high mountain landscapes and is especially popular for autumn foliage drives.
Yachiho Highland is a destination where the natural character of the Japanese mountains remains remarkably strong. Lake Shirakoma and its moss-covered forest, the peaceful waters of Lake Komade, the expansive birch forests of Yachiho Highland Nature Garden, and the snow-covered landscape of the ski resort each reveal a different side of the area.
At the same time, the Okumura Togyu Memorial Museum adds an artistic dimension to the journey, allowing visitors to experience both the natural and cultural heritage of the region.
For travelers seeking a quieter alternative to Japan’s more developed mountain resorts, Yachiho Highland offers a refreshing escape into forests, high-altitude lakes, seasonal flowers, art, and spectacular mountain scenery.